European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that Russian President Vladimir Putin must engage in peace talks on Ukraine, following phone conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Her call comes amid heightened tensions after a massive Russian airstrike on Kyiv, which left at least 17 dead and damaged EU offices in the Ukrainian capital.
“I just spoke with President Zelensky, then with President Trump, following the massive strike on Kyiv that also hit our EU offices. Putin must sit at the negotiating table,” Von der Leyen posted on X.
She stressed the need for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, with strong and credible security guarantees to make the country “highly fortified.”
Meanwhile, the Kremlin continues to block efforts by Trump’s administration to mediate a direct meeting between Putin and Zelensky to end Russia’s four-year-long invasion.
Western powers are currently discussing security guarantees that would accompany any potential ceasefire deal.
Trump has hinted that the U.S. could support a European-led peace plan, but made clear it would not involve deploying American troops on the ground in Ukraine.
Von der Leyen also emphasized that “Europe will fully play its role,” highlighting a new EU program to fund weapons for Ukraine as part of its long-term defense commitment.
